Matt Dufty re-signs with St George Illawarra Dragons until end of 2019 NRL season

Staying put: Penshurst RSL junior Matt Dufty has re-signed with St George Illawarra until the end of 2019. Picture: Robert Peet

St George Illawarra have continued locking up their best young stars with Matt Dufty extending his contract with the club.

Dufty was out of contract at the end of the upcoming season but will now be at the club at least until the end of 2019.

The 22-year-old Penshurst RSL junior made his first grade debut for the Dragons last season and played St George Illawarra’s final seven games of the campaign.

The Dragons had already re-signed a number of young stars including Luciano Leilua, Blake Lawrie, Cameron McInnes and Euan Aitken as well as established players Gareth Widdop, Jack de Belin, Paul Vaughan, Tim Lafai, Kurt Mann and Jason Nightingale in the last year.

“It's great to be here for another year. I thought being at the Dragons was the best opportunity for me moving forward in my rugby league career,” Dufty said.

“Last season was a big milestone in my life and moving forward to 2018 I'm very excited with the position I currently find myself in.

“It means the world to be where I'm at now. Coming through the St George ranks and being a local junior, it's great to be able to remind kids that you can play for the team you dreamed of playing for.”

Dragons’ director of rugby league pathways Ian Millward said he was pleased to retain another local junior in the club’s top squad.